Evaluating the Impact of the Appalachian Farmacy Produce Prescription Program on Food Insecurity and Dietary Health in Northeast Tennessee

Additional Authors

Harrison James Ihrig, Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Ignacio M Garcia, Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.

Abstract

Food insecurity remains a critical public health issue in the United States, particularly in low-income rural areas, where access to nutritious food is often limited. Low-income households face higher risks of nutritional deficiencies and poor health outcomes compared to higher-income households. Factors such as food prices, accessibility, household size, and time constraints further exacerbate food insecurity. Healthy diets are often more expensive and time-consuming, making them less accessible for many. To address these challenges, produce prescription programs have emerged as a promising intervention, aiming to improve access to healthy foods and promote better eating habits. The Appalachian Farmacy, a produce prescription program funded by the USDA Nutrition Incentive Hub and implemented by the nonprofit Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council (ARCD), aims to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for low-income residents in Northeast Tennessee. Participants received $45 produce vouchers monthly, with opportunities to earn additional vouchers through interviews, and nutrition education classes to cover topics such as cooking and food preservation. A program evaluation, conducted in partnership with East Tennessee State University (ETSU), utilized surveys administered via REDCap and Qualtrics to assess voucher use, food insecurity, eating habits, and health indicators. These surveys were administered pre-program and one year into the program with ongoing post program data collection. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, means, and medians, were used to analyze changes in key variables such as fruit and vegetable consumption, food insecurity, and BMI. The Chi square test of association assessed the significance of these changes. Preliminary findings suggest the program improved participants’ access to healthy foods, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, and reduced food insecurity. The Appalachian Farmacy demonstrates the potential for produce prescription programs to address food insecurity and promote healthier eating in underserved communities. Further research is needed to explore scalability and long-term impact.

Start Time

16-4-2025 11:00 AM

End Time

16-4-2025 12:00 PM

Room Number

303

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Presentation Subtype

Grad/Non-comp Orals

Presentation Category

Health

Faculty Mentor

Bethesda O'Connell

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Apr 16th, 11:00 AM Apr 16th, 12:00 PM

Evaluating the Impact of the Appalachian Farmacy Produce Prescription Program on Food Insecurity and Dietary Health in Northeast Tennessee

303

Food insecurity remains a critical public health issue in the United States, particularly in low-income rural areas, where access to nutritious food is often limited. Low-income households face higher risks of nutritional deficiencies and poor health outcomes compared to higher-income households. Factors such as food prices, accessibility, household size, and time constraints further exacerbate food insecurity. Healthy diets are often more expensive and time-consuming, making them less accessible for many. To address these challenges, produce prescription programs have emerged as a promising intervention, aiming to improve access to healthy foods and promote better eating habits. The Appalachian Farmacy, a produce prescription program funded by the USDA Nutrition Incentive Hub and implemented by the nonprofit Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council (ARCD), aims to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for low-income residents in Northeast Tennessee. Participants received $45 produce vouchers monthly, with opportunities to earn additional vouchers through interviews, and nutrition education classes to cover topics such as cooking and food preservation. A program evaluation, conducted in partnership with East Tennessee State University (ETSU), utilized surveys administered via REDCap and Qualtrics to assess voucher use, food insecurity, eating habits, and health indicators. These surveys were administered pre-program and one year into the program with ongoing post program data collection. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, means, and medians, were used to analyze changes in key variables such as fruit and vegetable consumption, food insecurity, and BMI. The Chi square test of association assessed the significance of these changes. Preliminary findings suggest the program improved participants’ access to healthy foods, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, and reduced food insecurity. The Appalachian Farmacy demonstrates the potential for produce prescription programs to address food insecurity and promote healthier eating in underserved communities. Further research is needed to explore scalability and long-term impact.